UK
The King crowned by Archbishop of Canterbury in historic coronation at Westminster Abbey
The King has been crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in his historic coronation at Westminster Abbey.
The archbishop Justin Welby placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on to the monarch’s head before proclaiming: “God save the King!”
The congregation, which includes 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of the monarch, then replied: “God save the King!”
The archbishop had adjusted the position of the crown on the King’s head for several seconds before it sat comfortably.
A fanfare was played and the abbey’s bells rang for two minutes after the crowning, with gun salutes fired from nearby Horse Guards Parade, the Tower of London and saluting stations across the nation and from warships at sea.
The King was then officially enthroned as the archbishop proclaimed: “Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity.”
The enthronement traditionally represents the monarch taking possession of his kingdom.
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Minutes later, Queen Camilla was seen adjusting her hair out of her face as she was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
She had earlier been anointed in public in a break with tradition.
The Bishop of Dover presented the Queen with the Rod with Dove before Lord Chartres presented her with the Sceptre with Cross.
The Queen then curtsied before the King as they appeared to smile at each other in a charming moment in the coronation.
As Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s coronation anthem was sung, the Queen was officially enthroned.
The enthroning of the Queen was a moment in which Charles and Camilla were “united in their joint vocation before God”.
Earlier Prince William paid homage to the King, the only blood prince to do so, in a break with tradition.
William appeared to avoid eye contact with his father through much of the homage.
He then kissed the King on the cheek who was seen to say a couple of inaudible words to his elder son.
At the end of the ceremony the King walked through the abbey as Prince William, Kate, and their children Louis and Charlotte sang the national anthem.
William and Kate’s eldest son, Prince George, was not seated with them – as future king he was part of the ceremony as one of the pages of honour.
Prince William kisses King Charles during his coronation ceremony
The historic ceremony of pomp and pageantry, which marks the first time most people have seen the coronation of a British monarch, has been watched by millions around the world.
The crowning was the moment the King fulfilled his destiny but follows the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years.
Before being crowned, the monarch was anointed with holy oil before putting on the coronation robes.
He wore a deep scarlet robe which was previously worn by his grandfather, King George VI.
Charles became the 40th reigning sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation’s coronation church since 1066.
The coronation was a deeply religious ceremony steeped in symbolism and its prayers took the theme of “Called to Serve”, an attribute associated with the late Queen who pledged her life to the Commonwealth.
Before the crowning the archbishop delivered a sermon to the 2,300 guests, a gathering of world leaders, celebrities, UK politicians, foreign royalty, everyday heroes and the Royal Family.
The monarch later delivered a King’s Prayer, the first time a king or queen has spoken words to God aloud during a coronation, and he touched on the duty of the sovereign to serve all communities.
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Senior members of the Royal Family were among more than 2,000 guests inside the abbey for the service, with the Prince and Princess of Wales in the front row with their children Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Prince Harry and Prince Andrew also attended – the Duke of Sussex was all smiles, chatting to his cousin Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, as he walked into the abbey.
They were joined by celebrities including Ant and Dec, Katy Perry, and Emma Thompson.
Ahead of the service, thousands of wellwishers clapped and cheered along The Mall as the King and Queen Consort left Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.